Google Docs Assignment 4 Link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16IsrANQMspQOD23OVKuhYAGctQxt2aOE1gbYbIq1G0o/edit?usp=sharing

Try the link above to access my Google Doc of Assignment #4.

Anyone using Radio Frequency Identification in their library?

-J. Burnley

Digital Library Review Summary

Summary of Findings

            Both digital libraries and institutional repositories typically have the mission of archiving knowledge or cultural heritage items in an accessible and convenient format.  These organizations tend to desire to spread access as far as possible, opening collections to the general public and using access methods that everyone can utilize.  Also, the digital presence of these organizations, which adheres little to physical or geographical boundaries, can form partnerships and establish communications with almost any other institution in the world.  This virtual presence makes digital libraries uniquely capable of establishing collaborative efforts and creating outreach among cultural institutions.  

            Digital libraries tend to archive more diverse collections and represent a greater area of geographical and cultural contributors.  Even the most specific and focused of the digital libraries under review, The Mountain West Digital Library, still gathers items from a collaboration of institutions.  The Chronicling America library may focus upon one print medium, but it gathers papers from each state in the Union.  This is not to say that digital libraries end up with a greater volume of items than institutional repositories.  On the contrary, institutional repositories have an established base of contributors and a focused mission, making acceptance and submission of materials far easier than a global collaboration.   

  

            Open access software pervades the digital library landscape, especially in the area of acceptable file formats and image viewers.  Linux operating systems appeared in more than one website, for instance.  Those that use proprietary software or formats at the very least choose freely downloadable sources, such as Adobe or Java.  These factors most significantly contribute to the mission of providing free and convenient access to a host of digital collections with a website that is easy to navigate and utilize.  

-J. Burnley

iTunes

I recently received all of my old data from a laptop that died a while ago.  Much of it consists of music from my iTunes.  While on the old computer I had my iTunes configured such that only songs I really enjoyed and understood existed in the library, I did not edit the original files in such a manner.  Now, on the new computer, I have all of the songs back but not edited down.  Therefore, I am taking this transfer as a second opportunity to cull my music down to a representative sample.  It will be a long process, but well worth it (satisfying the inner librarian).  Right, now (going alphabetically) I am on The Black Keys!

Podcasts

I heard on a podcast once that people who listened to the show before they went to sleep often had dreams involving the speakers on the program.  Below are my favorites, and I have definitely had this phenomenon happen to me.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives

http://roosterteeth.com/podcast/

http://www.tolkienprofessor.com/wp/news/

http://www.mythgard.org/exclusives/riddles-in-the-dark/

http://www.startalkradio.net/shows-archive/

Full-Time + Part-time

Completing the requisite blog post to update folks on a new work status.  I'll be filling in as a Weekend Librarian at the Athens-Clarke County Information Desk.  I'm really excited for it!  This also means that I'll work seven days a week for two weeks a month.  Yay for doing library stuff every day!

Gives me a great chance to contrast working in the academic sphere vs. the public sphere.  Reference on Friday at UGA.  Reference on Saturday at ACC.

-J. Burnley

JOOMLA!

http://jburnley.cloudaccess.net/

Boy, do I hope you are all as nerdy as I am...

I can imagine a content-creating experience far faster and easier than Joomla!  Creating a category, then an article, then a menu item, and then perhaps going back to the media manager because you want an image in your article, then back to the article manager to implant the image, and then back to the menu to link to the article... it all seems a bit too back and forth.  The repetition is nice for getting to learn how something works, but I can imagine a system where editing articles, uploading images, changing the layout, and linking to menu items all takes place in the same window.  Also, is it possible to make the back end look more similar to the front end?  That way, making changes (such as reformatting the size of an image) reflects the instantaneous change with the appearance of the site.  Also, a larger editing window with more tools (Yes, should have gone with the component) would be very helpful.


That said, I enjoyed the experience of making a website.  I wish I had more time to develop it, and a greater knowledge of all of Joomla's expansive tools.  My end product took a lot of time to make something that looks very basic.  I also wish I had a website topic where I could include more of my own photos and had more time to write substantial content.  Once the learning curve was out of the way, the CMS provided an easy way to get a website launched quickly.

Out of Order

Elevator was out at work today.  I and my department are responsible for retrieving items from our storage vault in the basement when patrons request them.  Therefore, we climbed six flights of stairs when patron requests came through, carrying their boxes, books, or map folders of choice.  Not fun (for the most part).  Otherwise, not a lot of work was able to proceed.  Therefore, most of the day was spent modifying Joomla!  More to come on Joomla! in the next post.

Going Mobile In Shelving

Yesterday, I was shelving some books at the UGA Main Library.  We recently moved the call range of LC to the north half of the building on the second floor, and posted signage on the old LC location indicating their movement.  The signage specifically read, "The LC's have been moved to the North side of the building.  For help finding a book, text xxx-xxx-xxxx."  I'm not sure how many people have texted the reference department for help, but I do know that two patrons came in during my shift, saw me shelving on the opposite side of the floor, and asked if I could guide them to the new LC location.  Additionally, the signage did not indicate that the LC's were WAY FAR to the north, and not simply shifted a few ranges over.

Morale of the story, roving reference beats a mobile contact.  Roving reference + mobile contact = Win.

Creating A Staff Wiki

My library could use a wiki for the education of the staff on certain procedures in regard to building operations.  We already have a wiki that explains how to run the reference desk and use patron account management software.  This wiki helps the library tremendously, as 16 or so staff members all contribute to working reference shifts throughout the week.  Creating a wiki that comprehensively explains the best practices for running its vault will not only help future members of the vault staff adjust to working in their new environment, but may also serve to educate current staff members on this crucial part of the library and may even allow them to contribute a shift in a similar fashion to the reference desk schedule (if they so desired).  Having a wiki that is accessible to all staff as an interactive manual to explain procedural conduct will supplement the training necessary to provide adequate and consistent service among various and interchangeable employees. 

Therefore, the wiki of choice should best serve a library with the following characteristics:

1. Contains a common work area where staff regularly interact and share responsibilities.

2. Collaborates the schedules and abilities of a diverse and changing work force.

3. Provides a service that requires consistent attention and demands specific procedural steps.

4. Continually updates that service with new best practices and information.

The most appropriate wiki for meeting the requirements of this library is MediaWiki.  This Wiki is free software that is compatible with the Windows operating system, which we use on all staff computers.  MediaWiki provides commercial support as well as hosting, incurring no cost or hassle upon the library.  The Wiki features a sandbox mode for previewing pages, sentences, and other content with a convenient ability to make minor changes and adjustments, which is perfect for updating procedures and information.  MediaWiki also provides a page history, so that one may revert to a previous page to avoid misinformation or site vandalism.  Page templates are available for those desiring a simple layout, with WYSIWYG editing available as a Plugin.  One can upload graphics or sound using the file upload feature, enabling the addition of training videos or demonstrations to text procedures.  The Wiki also keeps track of edits by authoring user contributions in a sidebar or placing certain pages on a Watchlist, allowing for collaboration among expert staff.  One can also link to individual sections of the article, to reference an aforementioned procedure.  Overall, the cost of creation and knowledge required for start-up is minimal, allowing the creator to focus on content rather than format and presentation.  Ease of use and maintenance are the most compelling reasons for choosing this Wiki to create an interactive procedural manual.  

Why Can't They All Be Videos?

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the TEDtalk in addition to reading the usual scholarly articles this week.  Points to Dr. Yang for including such current and multimedia information sources among our course readings.  Speed of delivery and the lessening demand for concentration make videos or podcasts and instant favorite among my methods of information consumption.  Wouldn't it be great if more libraries used these types of presentations for promotional purposes?  I'd listen to a library podcast (drop a note if you know of one).

Overload

This class has me on the internet far more than usual, and finding sources of information that I've never explored before.  My previous experience on Twitter had me following only my friends and close associates, a very private and personal social network.  My twitter feed for this class, however, is full of library-related supplements (the ALA, LibraryJournal, UGA Libraries, etc.).  I'm sure many of them have tons of useful links and information, but I find myself with little time to explore them.  Perhaps I will keep that twitter account when this class is over and see if I can get used to having these handy resources constantly updating me.

-J. Burnley

FIRST! - Experience with Web 2.0

Well, the first assignment for this class has been fun so far.  This is my first blog, and I'm looking forward to refining it.  Admittedly, I am a little behind the curve when it comes to networking trends, learning what I can only after friends introduce me to them.  I have often used social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. and frequent community sites like YouTube or Wikipedia.  However, I have never applied these tools to professional purposes, and am curious to explore their application.  I especially would like to implement a professional Wiki someday. 

On the note of class experiences, how does everyone like the transition from Blackboard to D2L?

-J. Burnley